THE Hamilton Eisteddfod 2022 Dance program has kicked off this week with dozens of dancers from as far as Mount Gambier in the west, and Buninyong, east of Ballarat, gathering at the Hamilton Arts Centre from yesterday until Sunday.

For Hamilton Dance Company artistic director, Kylie Lewis, seeing the event return to mark her 10th year in the role was a great thrill.

“The Hamilton Eisteddfod Committee is a wonderful organisation and we are so lucky to have such amazing volunteers bringing this event back after three years,” she said.

“The buzz it creates around town and within the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre is so rewarding for Hamilton having many dancers from all over Victoria and South Australia attend.”

“Highlighting and creating opportunities for our amazing artistic students in music, dance and drama is what the local Eisteddfod is all about.”

Ms Lewis said the dance company saw the event as an integral part of their calendar and took it very seriously.

“Hamilton Dance Company has been performing at the Hamilton Eisteddfod for many years,” she said.

“Angela Magill founded Hamilton Dance in 1985 and is now on the Eisteddfod Committee to help continue this fantastic event for the local town.

“For myself and my students, the Eisteddfod is an important part of building our students as performers.

“Many don’t realise the hours dance students contribute to their training each week. Our advanced/senior students can be found in the studio actively working between six to eight hours a week leading up to competitions.

“Dancers are athletic artists, so preparation is key for their confidence, presentation and success.”

Referring to the motivation of the students, Ms Lewis said it’s all about their “thrill of performing and the love for what they do” and she derived a great sense of satisfaction in honing and developing their talents.

“As a teacher it’s the excitement of seeing your students grow as a performer and a person,” she said.

“Each time they step onto stage they discover what they are capable of as a dancer. It gives them a great sense of achievement and freedom of expression which is what dance is about.”

The students themselves said they were looking forward to finally performing after three years away from their local stage and “sharing our love of dance and the performing arts with our community, family, friends and fellow competitors”.

“We kept going even during COVID with online classes and adapting to performing outside,” they said.

“We continued training through it all.”

Students will showcase a wide range of styles including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acro.

“We have local soloist students who will compete over the five days,” Ms Lewis said.

“Our youngest is eight-years-old and oldest 17. I have one student this year who will grace the stage 10 times over the five days, competing in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Troupe work.”

Sadly, for some it will be their farewell performance.

“I have three students who will perform … for the last time this year,” Ms Lewis said.

She is particularly looking forward to Troupe Day on Sunday, where over 30 local dancers will take to the stage, some for the first time, and called it “definitely a highlight for myself and my students.”

“Troupe work brings all our students together, showing the hours of training, dedication, passion for what they do,” Ms Lewis said.

“That is the thrill of live performance and this day is about entertaining the audience and adjudicator.”

Ms Lewis said she hoped many people would come along to support the Eisteddfod “enjoying some amazing entertainment” and was clear about what would make the event a success.

“It’s a success already as we are having one,” she said.

“Three years is a long time.”